Barlow graduates take unity with them

REDDING - Whether it was doing the tango in senior dance class or navigating the halls amid construction, members of Joel Barlow High's Class of 2004 went through it all together.

Standing on the softball field behind the high school, co-commencement speaker and graduate

Francis Mazzucco
recalled the dance lessons that brought him closer to his fellow students.

"By dancing with different partners, we interacted and bonded with those we had never truly known before," he said.

"We especially came together this year," said Alana Rozany, who will attend
Bryant College
in the fall. "I've only went to school with the students from Easton since our freshman year, but it still seems like I have known them forever."

The unity among the 201 graduates was evident in the red and white ribbons pinned to their white gowns in honor of

But on a day filled with a mixture of nerves and excitement, these graduating seniors remembered the times that made their experience at Joel Barlow so special.

"We are the construction class," said
Casey Cohen
, who will attend the
University of Illinois-Chicago
in the fall. "There were times when windows were fixed before the room, which left a gap between the top of the window and the ceiling. Once it actually ended up snowing into my anthropology class."

Although the graduates will miss their experiences at Joel Barlow, they are confident as they start the next phase of their lives.

"I think we are all ready to continue on and start fresh," said
Elena Green
. "We'll miss everyone and everything, but it's time."

Family members agreed.

"She's very ready for college," said William and
Patricia Werfelman
of their daughter, Lauren. "She's had a great career here, which will help her a lot in the world and in college."

Co-commencement speaker
Jordan England
compared his high school career to a television series.

"Much like the end of a series on television, it is a bittersweet time, knowing that we will no longer have new memories to create (here), but remembering the memories we will always have," England said. "We have played out the last episode. So take your final bow."